Category: Uncategorised

Numbers 3:1-51; Psalms 148:1-150:6; Mark 13:1-37

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 NKJV

The redemptive work of Christ is in the past—He “has begun” a sanctifying work in us. In the present—He “will complete” it and in the future He will complete that work in “the day of Jesus Christ”. The “good work” in us is the process of being conformed to the image of His Son. Our assurance of salvation is sure! —Sam Thorpe, Jr.

The work which His goodness began,
The arm of His strength will complete.
His promise is Yea and Amen,
And never was forfeited yet.  —Augustus M. Toplady

Numbers 2:1-34; Psalms 146:1-147; Mark 12:18-44

And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Genesis 50:17 NKJV

Jacob was dead and now his brethren were trying to convince Joseph to forgive them. But he had long since forgiven them for the evil they had done to him. For seventeen years they had been living under the care of Joseph without realizing that he had completely forgiven them! Do we realize that our forgiveness was a
once and for all act and we are safe and under Christ’s love and care? Is the Lord grieved with our lack of understanding of our security in Him? —Ray Jones

My name from the palms of His hands, eternity will not erase;
Impressed on His heart, it remains, in marks of indelible grace.
Yes! I to the end shall endure, as sure as the earnest is given;
More happy, but not more secure, the souls of the blessed in heaven.    —Augustus M. Toplady

Numbers 1:1-54; Psalms 144:1-145:21; Mark 11:27-12:17

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart.  Psalm 34:18 NKJV
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 NKJV

Broken hearts are the sad result of a fallen creation. The destructive effects of sin can leave you reeling with wounds so deep, you may wonder if you’ll ever heal. But there’s hope for you my friend. Jesus said that He was sent “to heal the brokenhearted” (Luke 4:18). He too, was “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3). So, whatever the circumstance that has broken your heart, whether by others, or self inflicted, take it to Jesus. He is the only one that can heal your wounds and make you whole again. —E. V.

He healed the broken-hearted, and set the captive free,
He made the lame to walk again, and caused the blind to see. —P. Paino

Leviticus 27:1-34; Psalms 142:1-143:12; Mark 11:1-26

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11

The ancient Chinese general Sun Tsu wrote, that if we know both ourselves and our enemy, we need not fear the outcome of a thousand battles. Throughout Biblical history, Satan has always attacked our minds, our hearts, and our flesh. Knowing where we’re vulnerable in these areas will help us fortify ourselves for
when these attacks come. Be honest with God, honest with others, and honest with yourself. Our spiritual weapons are mighty for the pulling down of our sinful strongholds, and our Lord is far mightier than our adversary. —Rick Morse

Faint not, nor fear, His arms are near;
He changeth not, and thou art dear.   —John Monsell

Leviticus 26:1-46; Psalm 140:1-141:10; Mark 10:32-52

For some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:34

May God grant us boldness to spend our lives unashamedly telling the world what Christ has done—that He has made a way back to Himself from the dark paths of sin. Many are confused and many others are struggling to find a way out of the mess they have made of their lives. It is only by the grace of God that we
know the Way—the Lord Jesus Himself—and now He expects us to share that message with everyone. —David Croudace

I’ll go where You want me to go dear Lord,
O’er mountain or plain or sea;
I’ll say what You want me to say, dear Lord,
I’ll be what You want me to be.   —C. H. Gabriel

Leviticus 25:1-55; Psalm 139:1-24; Mark 10:1-31

And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. Mark 14:34

The Lord’s sufferings included the awful psychological effects of anticipating bearing sin’s judgment. As the Son of God approached the cross, His perfectly holy mind was filled with sorrow at the coming unfathomable wrath. As fallen beings we have no idea of the torment that the impeccable Saviour endured in our place as He became “sin for us” (2 Cor. 5:21). Thankfully, He drained that cursed cup to its dregs; as the hymn says: “left but the love for me”. —K. R. Keyser

How bitter the cup, no heart can conceive,
Which He drunk quite up, that sinners might live!
His way was much rougher, and darker than mine;
Did Jesus thus suffer, and shall I repine? —John Newton

Leviticus 24:1-23; Psalms 137:1-138:8; Mark 9:33-50

It came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed (stopped). 2 Kings 4:6
With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3

Scripture often represents joy by oil and life by water. God’s unlimited reserve seemed constrained by the widow’s expectations,
as reflected in the number of vessels she borrowed. As vessels of
honour and service, beware that our expectations never constrain
the unlimited reserves of His exceeding abundance—a life of joy
in the one who is anointed with the oil of gladness. —D. J. Reed

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise; just to know, “Thus saith the Lord”.  —Louis Stead

Leviticus 23:23-44; Psalms 135:1-136:26; Mark 9:14-32

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

For many years this verse seemed to speak to me only of our ultimate gain in eternity. But this truth has been impressing itself on my daily thoughts, daily choices. Amy Carmichael wrote to prospective workers at Dohnavur that she could offer them nothing material, only “a chance to die.” Today we too are being offered a chance, a golden opportunity, to die—to die to self in its myriad small demands. But oh what gain will accrue! The rootlets of our choice—“for thy sake we are killed all the day long” (Rom. 8:36), though hidden from sight, will one day surface in a rich harvest— eternal gain. —M. MacMullen

Give me Lord, a servant’s heart; here’s my life; take every part.
Help me draw so close to You, that Your love comes shining through. —R. Hamilton

Leviticus 23:1-22; Psalms 132:1-134:3; Mark 8:27-9:13

Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier. Phil. 2:25 NKJV

A horse named Jenny goes on a long walk every morning in Frankfurt, Germany. She usually goes alone but sometimes is accompanied by a sheepdog named Evita. For 14 years she has taken the same route ever since her owner became unable to ride. She enjoys greeting familiar faces along the way, stopping for treats. In Christian service, a fellow worker may be laid aside by illness, a close brother called to a new ministry. A fellow soldier may suddenly be called home to heaven. Sometimes we must separate. However, like Jenny we must remain faithful. For He is worthy. —George Ferrier

Let us then be true and faithful, trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay. —E. Hewitt

Leviticus 22:1-33; Psalm 128:1-131:3; Mark 8:11-26

I John….was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:9 

John was exiled to a place of isolation and aloneness for his faith. He would no longer preach the gospel, fellowship with believers or engage in ministry. He appeared destined for a life of uselessness. But God saw different. It was in this place of exile and isolation that God communicated His last great message to the Church and to the world. What men tried to shut up—God used! Are you slumped in a place of spiritual aloneness and isolation? Remember, what seemed the end for John was God’s glorious new assignment. He will do the same for us! —Deborah Manera

Of one thing I am perfectly sure:
God’s story never ends with ashes. ?Elisabeth Elliot